EDINBORO, Pa. – The No. 25 Mercy University Women's Soccer Team opens its 2026 season on Thursday, August 27th when they play at Edinboro at 12 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Thursday, August 27th 12 p.m.
Records (2025): #25 Mercy (14-4-3), Edinboro (8-9-1)
Location: Edinboro, Pa.
Last Meeting vs. Edinboro
First Meeting
Scouting the Mavericks
Mercy is coming off a season in which they went 14-4-3, winning the ECC Regular Season Championship and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022. The Mavericks advanced to the ECC Championship Final and the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. Head Coach Jack Nicholson and Mercy look to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time in nine seasons and make the ECC Championship for the 13th straight season. The Mavericks were picked first in the ECC Preseason Poll and are ranked No. 25 nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll. Junior Hailey Metzger and senior Sarah Lill Hanks were named the ECC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. Metzger returns after being named United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-Region, D2CCA Second Team All-Region and Second Team All-ECC last season. The forward finished with nine goals, 12 assists, and 30 points in 2025. Hanks was named ECC Defensive Player of the Year last season, United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-Region, D2CCA First Team All-Region and First Team All-ECC. Hanks started all 21 games, leading the team in minutes played with 1,892 while leading a defense that ranked second in the ECC in goals against average. Nicholson also returns sophomore Casey Szczotka who was named ECC Rookie of the Year in 2025 and was named United Soccer Coaches and D2CCA Second Team All-Region and First Team All-ECC. She played in all 21 games in 2025 and had four goals and one assist. Sophomore Camila Salvador returns after being named United Soccer Coaches and D2CCA Second Team All-Region and First Team All-ECC last season. Salvador played 20 games and had four goals, five assists, and 13 points. Juniors Alyssa Santiago and Anneliese Becker also return after being named ECC Second and Third Team All-Conference, respectively, last season. Becker went 14-4-3 in goal last season with 57 saves, a .770 save percentage and 0.85 goals-against average with nine shutouts. Senior Ella Gallino and sophomore Gracie DiPalo return after combining for seven goals and one assist in 2025 and juniors Blake Goldstein and Sophia Campites and sophomore Rosa Pistone are back after finishing with a combined two goals and two assists a year ago. Senior Angelina Ortiz appeared in 18 games making four starts last season and also returning are senior Sarah Davi, juniors Dakota Dieumegard, Ana Polychroniades and Alexia Tavantzis, and sophomores Alyssa Cedeno, Maeve Connelly, Ella Russo, Kelis Guzmán, Peighton McKenna and Christie Clark.
Nicholson also welcomes a strong recruiting class, highlighted by Division I transfers senior Femke Demets and junior Heiddis Sigurdardottir. Both Demets and Sigurdardottir transfer from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Demets joined the team in the spring of 2026. Nicholson brings in eight freshmen as well to the 2026 squad. Madeline Dzurik joined the team in the spring of 2026 and fellow freshmen Khloe Welch, Connor Leahy, Elizabeth Crawford, Astrid Borglund, Madison Reynolds, Jesslene Garcia and Roslyn Almodovar will look to contribute immediately.
Hanks and Santiago will serve as team captains during the 2026 season.
Mercy looks to win their second straight season opener.
Scouting the Fighting Scots
Edinboro went 8-9-1 last season, qualifying for the PSAC Tournament. The Fighting Scots were picked fourth in the PSAC West Coaches' Poll. Leading the returners for Edinboro is Jada Cole who had a team-high 10 goals and 22 points last season. Grace Madison is back after leading the team with three assists in 2025. Brianna Garey returns in goal after going 8-9-1 last season with 110 saves, a .815 save percentage, 1.41 goals-against average and five shutouts.
Next Game
Mercy hosts Goldey-Beacom in their home opener on Sunday, August 30th at 1 p.m.
